Group Communications Director (Maternity Cover)

The Communications team works across the LW Group, overseeing all external communications activity for LW Entertainment, LW Theatres (including LW Tickets and other entities), and Lord Lloyd Webber’s private office.

This role encompasses managing proactive and reactive media activity on a global scale — from strategic campaigns and press relations to crisis communications, reputation management and stakeholder engagement.

LW Theatres and LW Entertainment are commercial businesses, while Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation is a registered charity. All communications activity is conducted in close collaboration with the Lloyd Webber private office. Although the organisations are separate entities, it is imperative that communications are aligned and closely coordinated, given the high-profile nature of the stakeholders, brands, venues and businesses involved.

This is a unique opportunity to provide maternity cover on a fixed-term contract. While advertised as a full-time fixed-term role, part-time options may be considered for the right candidate, working in tandem with existing internal and external support, subject to experience and availability.

The Group Communications Director reports directly to the Chief Executive Officers of LW Entertainment and LW Theatres, working closely with the Lloyd Webber family and the Boards of both organisations.

LW ENTERTAINMENT

LW Entertainment (LWE) is an entertainment company with musical theatre at its heart. Founded in 1977, it exists to represent, manage and license the work of Andrew Lloyd Webber, the most commercially successful composer of all time.

LWE oversees the portfolio of brands under ALW Musicals, collaborating with best-in-class partners to extend into traditional and non-traditional entertainment mediums, reaching existing and new audiences around the world.

LW THEATRES GROUP

LW Theatres owns and operates six commercial theatres* in London’s West End. Its venues are among the most prestigious and desirable in the world, including The London Palladium and Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

LW Theatres is the largest operator of musical theatres in London, with approximately one in three visits to a London musical taking place at an LW Theatre. As its impact grows beyond the UK, LW Theatres is increasingly delivering international consultancy services for clients across the world.

*Adelphi Theatre is owned in association with Nederlander International Limited.

LW TICKETS

LW Tickets Limited is part of the LW Theatres Group. LW Tickets provides comprehensive ticketing technology and services to leading entertainment venues and productions across the UK.

Operating on the innovative Lineup platform, LW Tickets delivers secure, scalable ticketing solutions that enhance the customer experience while providing valuable insights and support to its partners.

ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER FOUNDATION

Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation is a registered charity founded by Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1992. The Foundation’s principal objective is to promote the arts, culture and heritage for the public benefit. Since 2011, the Foundation has awarded over £20m to projects focused on enhancing arts education and participation, improving access, and increasing diversity across the arts, culture and heritage sector.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES – GROUP LEVEL

• Lead strategic communications planning and oversight across the LW Group

• Provide strong reactive and proactive communications support for Lord Lloyd Webber, particularly around personal interests and priority creative projects

• Work closely with global partners to plan, oversee and support all external communications activity across the Group, including high-profile international productions involving leading directors, producers and talent

• Develop and manage a strategic communications calendar to plan and execute campaigns and identify key tentpole moments globally

• Collaborate with internal teams to drive and shape proactive communications, aligned with owned and paid media channels

• Manage media relations (B2B and B2C), including enquiries, interviews, crisis communications and cross-Group reputation management

• Lead business- or Group-level crisis response, supported by external partners as required

• Provide counsel and strategic advice to Boards and leadership teams

• Draft, edit and approve key materials across all organisations

• Support internal communications activity as required

• Evaluate and track the impact of PR activity across the Group

• Lead corporate communications activity, including collaboration on owned channel messaging

LW ENTERTAINMENT

• Oversee communications around global franchise plans for all core brands managed by LW Entertainment

• Act as part of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to business management and oversight, particularly issues management (internal and external)

• Manage global communications partners and agencies on a retained and project basis

• Collaborate closely with partners worldwide, coordinating communications activity across major markets and industries including live entertainment, music, publishing, film & TV, and consumer products

• Lead communications activity for key and priority projects to strengthen reputation and brand positioning

LW THEATRES GROUP

• Lead business-wide communications activity to support the articulation and delivery of the five-year business strategy

• Collaborate closely with theatrical producing partners to ensure the smooth running of resident shows, concerts and events across six iconic West End theatres, including announcements, launches and closures

• Provide communications support to ensure smooth theatre operations, including complex customer service matters, stakeholder management and operational issues

• Support core business units (e.g. partnerships and marketing teams) to align communications with commercial priorities

• Provide SLT and executive-level support in developing and launching new business initiatives aligned to the five-year strategy

• Support international consultancy work

LW TICKETS

• Collaborate with partners to support LW Tickets activity within and beyond LW Theatres venues

• Provide communications support to drive new business and commercial objectives

• Lead issues management and crisis communications related to high-profile on-sales or technical challenges

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Extensive experience working with senior stakeholders in high-profile, high-pressure communications environments

• Strong strategic planning capability across multiple organisations and global partners

• Calm and clear under pressure, with sound judgement across complex issues

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Strong press and media contacts within entertainment, arts or leisure industries

• Excellent interpersonal skills

• Significant crisis management experience at a senior level

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment

• Positive, proactive attitude with a collaborative approach

• Strong team player comfortable coordinating across multiple stakeholders

• Commitment to excellence

• Ability to work effectively at all levels of the organisation, including strong upward management

• Creative flair

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Desirable

• Understanding of broader marketing requirements, including global franchise strategies for leading entertainment brands

• Experience in both agency and in-house PR roles

• Experience across both commercial and charitable organisations

• Understanding of and experience in global media markets